03/16/2021
CT. Dept Of Labor Reminds Claimants Of Benefit Year End Releases Applications And Trust Fund Numbers Provides American Job Center And Other Updates
(Wethersfield, CT) – Connecticut Department of Labor (CTDOL) Commissioner Kurt Westby today reminded claimants who filed at the beginning of the pandemic that their benefit year is coming to an end and they must re-apply for a new unemployment benefit year. The agency also released updates on unemployment application numbers, the status of the state’s Trust Fund, and other programs.
Commissioner Westby said, “Over the next few weeks, the Department is expecting about 150,000 new claims as people who filed at the beginning of the pandemic come to the end of their current benefit year. Last year at this time, we had a few dozen claims representatives and claims processing times were 4-6 weeks. We now have more than 100 customer service agents assisting claimants; however, we’re asking filers to be patient as it may take a week to process claims with the new benefit year surge.”
Each unemployment claim is valid for 52 weeks; after that time, claimants are notified that they must submit a new application using the blue button on www.FileCTUI.com. This system is available to claimants 24 hours per day, every day, in English and Spanish.
To be eligible for the benefit extensions under the American Rescue Plan, claimants must first file for a new benefit year if they have come to the end of their current benefit year. Once they have established a new unemployment claim, the extensions under the American Rescue Plan apply. Additional information about American Rescue Plan provisions will be released soon and will be updated on the CTDOL federal programs webpage.
After the new claim is filed and processed, claimants will be notified that they may begin their weekly certifications. Claim processing times are currently at a pre-pandemic level of 1-3 days, however, the surge of applications is expected to increase processing times to a week. For filing assistance, customers may reach out to the Consumer Contact Center. Established in July 2020, the Contact Center handles around 3,000 cases per day and continues to experience heavy call volume. With a new scheduling feature on the website, claimants may make an appointment for a call. Filers are urged to check the website FAQs before calling the Contact Center to avoid wait times.
MIXED EARNER UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION
CARES Act II includes the Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation (MEUC) program—expected to roll out in Connecticut in early April. MEUC offers an additional $100 per week for eligible filers who have both self-employment earnings as well as W2 earnings. CTDOL will notify claimants who may be eligible. Additional information is on the CTDOL federal programs page.
AMERICAN JOB CENTERS
Connecticut’s comprehensive American Job Centers are open by appointment for job search assistance, career counseling, recruitment services for employers, and other resources. Additional information and appointment scheduling is available on the CTDOL American Jobs Center webpage.
UNEMPLOYMENT APPLICATIONS UPDATE
- In the past year, CTDOL has received ~1.4M state, federal, and extended benefits applications—as many as the agency usually receives over about 10 years.
- Currently, Connecticut has about 205,000 weekly fliers.
TRUST FUND
- To date, the state has borrowed $655M for the Trust Fund.
- Borrowing requests for: April, May, and June are in process. A borrowing request does not indicate state spending for the month.
- Since March 13, 2020, CTDOL has disbursed $7.5B in unemployment benefits:
- $366M in Lost Wages Assistance,
- $3.6B in Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC), and
- $3.5B in unemployment benefits as follows:
- $2.3B in state unemployment benefits;
- $485M in Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA);
- $586M Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC);
- $12M in state extended benefits; and
- $121M in federal extended benefits.
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For Immediate Release: March 16, 2021
Media Contact: CTDOL Communications Unit
Media Contact:
CTDOL Communications Unit
200 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield, CT 06109-1114
Email: CTDOL.SocialMedia@ct.gov | http://www.ct.gov/dol